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Drive your car to death, save $31,000
CNN Money/Consumer Reports ^ | August 31 2007

Posted on 08/31/2007 10:27:15 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

By keeping your car for 15 years, or 225,000 miles of driving, you could save nearly $31,000, according to Consumer Reports magazine. That's compared to the cost of buying an identical model every five years, which is roughly the rate at which most car owners trade in their vehicles.

In its annual national auto survey, the magazine found 6,769 readers who had logged more than 200,000 miles on their cars. Their cars included a 1990 Lexus LS400 with 332,000 miles and a 1994 Ford Ranger pick-up that had gone 488,000 miles.

Consumer Reports calls the Honda Civic a "Good bet" to make it to 200,000 miles.

Calculating the costs involved in buying a new Honda Civic EX every five years for 15 years - including depreciation, taxes, fees and insurance - the magazine estimated it would cost $20,500 more than it would have cost to simply maintain one car for the same period.

Added to that, the magazine factored in $10,300 in interest that could have been earned on that money, assuming a five percent interest rate and a three percent inflation rate, over that time.

The magazine found similar savings with other models.

To have much hope of making it to 200,000 miles, a car has to be well maintained, of course. The magazine recommends several steps to help your car see it through.

Follow the maintenance guide in your owner's manual and make needed repairs promptly.

Use only the recommended types of fluids, including oil and transmission fluids.

Check under the hood regularly. Listen for strange sounds, sniff for odd smells and look for fraying or bulges in pipes or belts. Also, get a vehicle service manual. They're available at most auto parts stores or your dealership.

(Excerpt) Read more at money.cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: automobiles; automotive; car; economizing; frugality; gasoline; oil
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To: Son House; PeteB570

I want to add an “amen” to that. We’ve had a fair number of older Saturns here (they’re popular with my older kids, too), and one thing they’re known for: you need to replace the timing belt usually around 100K miles. If that sucker goes.........you’re looking at one HELL of a big repair bill. Possibly a new engine.


141 posted on 09/01/2007 7:21:44 AM PDT by RightOnline
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To: Billthedrill

I saw a sportscar the other day with this on the license plate: Drive it like it’s stolen.


142 posted on 09/01/2007 7:21:46 AM PDT by bethtopaz (A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you hav)
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To: sergeantdave
"Quietest, most dependable car I ever owned, except for the engine replacement every 200 miles at the beginning."

Sorry..........but this literally made me laugh out loud!!! :)

143 posted on 09/01/2007 7:24:51 AM PDT by RightOnline
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To: cmsgop

I am marrying my 2002 F-250 Super Duty. I bought her nice big shoes and a nice hat to slip-stream her. Over 80 MPH it’s like flying an airplane across the desert. Complete silence.


144 posted on 09/01/2007 7:24:59 AM PDT by BobS
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To: ansel12

Why get rid of a car you like? Modernity isn’t that exciting, most of the new tech they’re putting in cars is silly anyway, and there are certain benefits to knowing a car very very well. Getting from a fully parking lot to one with empty spaces I once got my car through a gap that had about 4 inches to spare, only reason I even tried it is I’d already owned the car 7 years and wore it like a second skin, I knew I had the room on the passenger side without a spotter and without having to get out to look, I could navigate that car through a crowd just like I navigate me. Then there’s the money issue even if you can afford to replace your car all the time why bother? If you respect preventative maintenance you can keep a car going for 2 or 3 payments equivalent in repair bills a year, I don’t care how much money you have there are better ways to spend 10 car payments a year than on a car, if nothing else you can take a decent vacation with that money.


145 posted on 09/01/2007 7:26:25 AM PDT by discostu (indecision may or may not be my biggest problem)
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To: ejonesie22
I thought my 535is was gonna last forever. The lady who witnessed the accordian-style accident (5 cars involved) said she couldn’t believe I got stopped. The guy behind me didn’t quite get stopped...Lousy Germans and their superior anti-lock brakes...
146 posted on 09/01/2007 7:31:56 AM PDT by LearnsFromMistakes (Member VRWC - Volvo-owning right-wing conspiracy, and now my first Mac. Seen my Berkinstocks?)
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To: discostu

Not to mention that none of my rigs cost more than about $40 a year for tabs. A late model rig could cost you 4-5 times as much.

That’s probably two months worth of gas right there.


147 posted on 09/01/2007 7:31:56 AM PDT by djf (America welcomes immigrants! Sadly, America welcomes crimmigrants even more...)
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To: wtc911

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!! (damn I was thinking it, but.......you came out and said it and..............)


148 posted on 09/01/2007 7:33:54 AM PDT by RightOnline
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To: Sir Francis Dashwood

oooooooooooo I’m jealous; had a couple 914’s, never a 914-6. You’re right; damned uncomfortable......but SO much fun to drive. Corner like they’re on rails.

Let me know if you wanna part with it. :)


149 posted on 09/01/2007 7:36:01 AM PDT by RightOnline
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

In my state (Kansas) the average person has to keep their cars/trucks/SUV’s for 10 years or more just to get the annual personal property tax down to a decent amount. Its too damn expensive to own a newer car, because the state taxes the crap out of it every year when we get tags renewed. This is why so many Kansans use relative’s addresses in other states to tag their vehicles in those states. Texas is the most popular state for Kansans to tag in. Followed by Missouri.


150 posted on 09/01/2007 7:38:18 AM PDT by Sig Sauer P220
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To: Popman
You are looking at anywhere between $350 to $600 a month for a modest vehicle

You're right. The last time I paid <$350 for a vehicle ...it was a used 1996 Buick Regal. I paid it off in 1999 and just got rid of it. I'd had the engine overhauled at 200k and a new a/c put in.

A 165lb Rotty jumped in front of me while traveling 70mph... and it kinda quashed the plans I had for it. Tore up the whole front end. I'm seriously looking for another 1996...if it's in good shape. I just love those cars.

151 posted on 09/01/2007 7:40:37 AM PDT by LaineyDee (Don't mess with Texas wimmen!)
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To: LibWhacker

That’s why you keep a second beater that works at home.
It is rapidly still saves money over a new car.
Had one saturn get stolen at 245,000 miles, was running
fine with some gasket repairs, could have gotten another
20-30k miles. Got another one with 238,000 miles. Got it for
4,000 at 103K miles. only 4.5 years ago. Getting weaker, it
is, but I’ll buy another used car when it goes.
In California you pay about 8% of the cost of the car to tax.
On a 50k car, that’s 4,000. Why feed the beast?


152 posted on 09/01/2007 7:43:00 AM PDT by Getready (Truth and wisdom are more elusive, and valuable, than gold and diamonds)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

[IMG]http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m224/w3cf/DougsCar3012.jpg[/IMG]
Hope i did this right...165K
1993 Civic Del Sol..drops no oil (mobil 1) 34mpg....note paid in 1994. Change timing belt as prescribed and drive it.


153 posted on 09/01/2007 7:46:37 AM PDT by halfright (How come you never see any Suicide Mullahs?)
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To: halfright
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket nope...I think this is it :)
154 posted on 09/01/2007 7:48:57 AM PDT by halfright (How come you never see any Suicide Mullahs?)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
My last car (before I replaced it with a 2005 Toyota RAV 4) was an Acura Integra (their "bargain" car) that I bought in July 1993. I drove it just over 300,000 miles and sold it for $400 in December 2005; twelve and one-half years.

I changed the oil EVERY 5,000 miles of its life, and it still was hardly using any oil between changes at 300,000. The engine was still intact (i.e., never "opened up" other than to replace the timing belt and water pump once). I did have to replace the heater unit and front drive shaft axles around 200,000+.

It was the very last of the '93's (they changed to a new body style mid-year), and was so spartan that it came without a radio, air conditioning, and still had "roll-down yourself" windows. For all the years, if I wanted music, I took along a portable CD or minidisc player and used headphones.

It was the best car I'll ever own. Got my money's worth out of that one!

- John

155 posted on 09/01/2007 7:50:08 AM PDT by Fishrrman
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To: EBH

my 98 saturn has 137,000 miles on it and I plan on keeping it as long as I can.


156 posted on 09/01/2007 7:54:19 AM PDT by television is just wrong (deport all illegal aliens NOW. Put all AMERICANS TO WORK FIRST. END WELFARE.i)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I have a BMW with over 300,000 miles on it. Only paid $2500 cash for it back in ‘93.


157 posted on 09/01/2007 7:54:42 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
I bought my 1996 Toyota Camry 4 years ago with 137,000 on it. It now has 284,000 miles on it, gets 30 mpg. I recently replaced the alternator and its beginning to need a transmission.Its been paid for since I drove it off the lot. We also have a 1983 toyota truck with 200,000 on it. The bed is rusted thru, but she starts on the first turn.
Needless to say, I am looking for another toyota since I can rack up some mileage driving to work.
Oh yea, I also bought my son (16) a 1987 toyota camry with 160,000 on it for his first car.
I have never had a car payment and never intend to.
158 posted on 09/01/2007 7:55:35 AM PDT by I_saw_the_light (You cant polish a turd)
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To: Mogger

I was talking to my salesman who sold me my first saturn. he told me that there is a security company that has saturns with 700,000 miles on them. The cars go in like clockwork to get their oil changes.

Sounds like I might have my saturn for a long time.


159 posted on 09/01/2007 7:56:29 AM PDT by television is just wrong (deport all illegal aliens NOW. Put all AMERICANS TO WORK FIRST. END WELFARE.i)
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To: Salvation

Forgot to say that it was a 1984 when I bought it.

I have a BMW with over 300,000 miles on it. Only paid $2500 cash for it back in ‘93.


160 posted on 09/01/2007 7:56:57 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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